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Time passes faster as you get older: why that is – and a practical tip from experts

Time passes faster as you get older: why that is – and a practical tip from experts

Do you also think that this year has flown by? It was just January, right? While a year seemed like half an eternity in childhood, time seems to speed up unstoppably as we get older.

A study by psychologist Ruth Ogden shows that many adults feel like Christmas is coming faster every year. In Iraq, people feel similar things about Ramadan.

Scientists have an amazing explanation for why time passes faster as we get older. It’s about the amount of experiences and their perception.

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That’s why time drags on forever in childhood

In childhood, time passes more slowly because every experience is special. The first day of school, learning new games or discovering new places all challenge the brain. Children perceive the world in vivid images. Adrian Bejan, professor of mechanical engineering, explains: “Our brain registers changes.”

Our brain stores new impressions as memories. This makes time seem slower to us. Children experience many new things every day. That’s why a year seems like half an eternity to them.

Why time passes faster as you get older

As we age, our habits change. We become more comfortable and have fewer new things to learn. This makes time pass faster.

Adrian Bejan says: “In adulthood, our brain receives fewer new impressions than in youth. That’s why we perceive time to be faster.” The year then seems like an “empty film” in which little happened.

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How routines “shorten” time

Many adults have a monotonous everyday life. You do the same thing over and over again without thinking. This avoids new impressions. This explains why adults often think that adult life is boring.

Memories of special times, such as trips or important life events, are longer because they trigger more impressions and emotions in the brain. “When we look back on times full of new experiences, time seems stretched because there are many memories,” says Bejan.

New experiences stretch time

You can experience time more consciously by regularly breaking away from everyday life. New experiences such as learning an instrument, a dance class or a trip to an unknown city stimulate the brain to process more impressions. This makes time feel more fulfilling and subjectively you perceive it more slowly.

Even small changes in everyday life can help: a new route to work, a different sports class or new recipes in the kitchen. According to Adrian Bejan, the brain stores more information when there is variety.

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Mindfulness as a tool against the rush of time

You can learn to deal with time more consciously. When you focus on small moments, your senses become sharper. This applies to everyday things like the first coffee in the morning, but also to people on the street or music. All of this has a positive effect on the brain.

Meditation and similar practices help you think less about the past or future. This makes you experience everyday life more consciously and gives you the feeling that time is stretching again.

The original for this post Why time passes faster as you get older: Scientists have an answer – and a practical tip comes from Smart Up News.

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